LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 283, 26 August 1919, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

HE MEN OF THE MOTOR BOAT PATROL

Sir.—The heartiness of the welcome extended to officers and men of H.M.S. New Zealand on arrival in New Zealand, thoroughly 'deserved and in keeping with the importance of the event as it was, throws into relief the coldness of the reception of those young men who havo lately returned ufter serving with tho Motor Boat l atrol. I refer particularly to the mechanics who joined up as a result of direct appeals by officers sent out by the Admiralty to recruit men specially qualined for sea service of a highly hazardous nature. It was no holiday adventure the men were destined to engage in, «iB(l ike jibe wliiclx w© havo sincc lic.ird has been directed against ns —that wo were going simply to "dodge tho trenches" was as undeserved as it .was ungenerous. That, by the way, however? It is well known that the local authorities placed obstacles- in the. way of enlistment in tho Motor Boat Patrol. Had tho authorities had their way these volunteers. with their special qualifications for a service that was begging for men and was destined to plav such an important part in dealing with the submarine terror, would have tieen relegated to places in tho land forces where there individual efforts must have been of far less value. .4. strictly limited number of men was grudgingly permitted to go from Now Zealand for this work, and acquitted themselves with oredit. The Dominion has no cause to feel ashamed of any of these men. The number of awards aud distinctions won by this little band ~or Motor Boat Patrol men was proportionately greater than in any other branch of the forces. This fact surely shows the men higher up, at any rate, recognised we were doing good work, and I think wo may bo pardoned if wo feel very proud of the record of the Motor Boat Patrol. But I .recall that while our soldiers were j sent abroad with a great show of enthusiasm. we left almost unnoticed, and unnoticed we came home; and now we are back we are wondering how we shall fare under whatever benefit schemes may exist or be devised later for our service men. Thus far. whatever lias been done bv the New Zealand Government for the Motor Boat Patrol has only been dono grudgingly. The royal welcome given to the New Zealand .impels me to use It as a foil to show up the careless and niggardly spirit in which our humble services in .the Great War have been recognised. Possibly, now that Parliament is about to sit, someone may take the mat' tor up and see justice done, by putting us on an equal looting with the returned soldiers. We do not begrudge them anything, but we do ask that two years and more of strenuous and always dangerous duty against an implacable enemy, plus the ordinary daily hazards and discomforts of the sea, may be regarded as entitling us to recognition equally with those of New Zoaland's sons whose work lav on terra firma.—l aw, etc. ■ EX-C.M.M., Motor Boat Patrol. August 22, 1919. TNo one, we should think, would oppose the contention of our correspondent th«t. the New Zealanders who rslunteered and served in the Motor Boat Patrol should be recognised equally with our soldiers.l